Nonsinkable device for submarines



Feb. 26, 1929. 1,703,816

' L. A. FIORE NONSINKABLE DEVICE FOR suaxunmss Filed July 11. 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 1 A T TORNE Y.

Feb. 26, 1929.

L. A. FIORE NONSINKABLE DEVICE FOR SUBMARINES Filed July 11, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- INVHVTOR.

Zorerg; adj Zara ATTORNEY.

Feb. 26, 1929.

L. A. FIORE NONSINKABLE DEVICE F'OR SUBKARINBS Filed July 11, 192B INVENTOR. L 0,8250% rare 3 Seats-Sheet ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 26, 1929 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

LORENZO A. FIORE, OF BALTIMORR MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF'TO TONY M. RINALDI, JOSEPH TIMPANO, AND JOSEPH TROVATO, ALL OF BALTIMORE, MARY- LAN D.

Application filed July 11, 1928. Serial No. 291,791.

This invention contemplates a novel con struction of means to prevent sinking of a vessel, and while its general application is contemplated by the claims, it is primarily intended for use in conjunction with sub marines.

In carrying out the invention I contemplate the use of one or more hingedly mounted members constituting supports for propellers, which are arranged vertically when the hingedly mounted members are swung outwardly to a horizontal position, whereupon the propellers are operated to supply sufiicient lifting power to overcome the weight of the vessel and to' allow the same to be kept afloat and brought to safety in an emergency.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of means for locking the hinged members in their inaction positions along the side of the vessel, with the motor and propeller housed in a water-proof compartment, together with means for automatically throwing the hinged members outwardly to their active positions, thereby arranging the propellers in a manner to operate for the purpose intended.

The nature and advantages of the. invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read in connec tion with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and where- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vessel showing the application of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the hinged member atone side of the vessel in its normal inactive osition, and the active position of one o the hinged members at the opposite side of the vessel.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of one of the hinged members in its horizontal active position.

. Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken at a right angle to Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail view of one of the trunnions for oneof the supporting rods of the hinged member. 4

Referring to the drawings in detail A indicates a vessel along the opposed sides of which are hingedly mounted doors 1, the hinges for which are indicated at 2. As hereinabove stated these members constitute supports for propellers, adapted to be called into use in case of damage to the vessel, so as to lift the vessel to the surface, in case the vessel happens to be a submarine, as well as have secured to the inner side thereof cork 3 and the latter is reinforced by a steel plate or member 4. The doors 1 are normally arranged vertically at the sides of the vessel and effectively close a compartment which is of a size and shape toaccommodate the motor 5 and propeller 6. The current for the motor is conveyed thereto through suitable wires 13. The doors engage a gasket 14 when thev assume their closed position thereby providing a water-proof closure for the compartment. Secured to the rear wall of the compartment are spaced springs 11 which pro ject at an angle from the compartment as clearly illustrated in Figure 4, and whenthc doors 1 are fully closed, these springs are flexed and placed under tension, so that when the doors are unlocked or released, the springs are called into use to quickly and forcibly throw the doors from their normal vertical positions such as illustrated at B in Figure 2, to their active or horizontal positions illustrated at C in the same figure. 7 One wall of the com I artment is provided with an opening 12 or a suitable lock to hold the door closed, and the lock may be of any suitable character, and either controlled manuall or electrically. The doors are supported in t eir horizontal active positions by means of shafts 7, the outer ends of the latter being pivotally connected as at 8 to the inner side of the adjacent door 1, while the shafts also slide through water-tight trunnion bearings 9. The inner end of each shaft 7 is enlarged as at 10 toprovide a stop for the purpose of limiting the outward swinging movement of the articular door as will be readily understooc. When the doors are in their normal closed positions, these shafts 7 project within the vessel horizontally, but when the doors 7 are swung outwardly to their active positions, thetrunmon bearings 9 allow the rods to "assume the oblique positions illustrated in Figure 4C, and thus support the dooropen. I

In practice, the doors are normally arranged vertically at the sides of the vessel and locked in their closed positions to provide a water-proof cover for the compartments'above mentioned. However, in case of an'accident and damage to the vessel, the doors can be quickly and easily released, either manually or electrically, wl'iereupon the springs 11 quickly and forcibly throw the doors 1 to their horizontal positions. During this movement of the doors, the shafts 7 are projected from the compartments and assume the positions shown in Figure l to support the doors open. released, the motors 5 are energized, thereby operating the propellers 6 to supply sufficient lifting power for the vessel.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature andadvantages of the invention will be readily understood, I desire to have it known that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described and that such changes maybe resorted to when desired as fall ithin the scope of what is claimed. i

What is claimed is:

1. Non-sinkable means for vessels comprising a hingedly mounted doornormally ar-. 'ranged verticallyat the side of the vessel, and adapted to, be movedto a horizontal active position, a motor carried by the door,

and a propeller mounted on the motor shaft 7 and operable to supply'lifting power for the When the doors are operable to provide lifting power for the vessel. I V,

'3.'Non-sinkable means for a'vessel'comprising-a hingedly mounted door arranged at the side of the vessel, a compartment normally closed by the door, a float secured to the inner side of the door, a motor supported by the door, a propeller carried by the motor shaft, means for locking the door in a closed position, said compartment adapted to receive the motor and propeller when the door is closed, means for moving the door to a horizontal active position when the same is released and means for supporting the door in its active position, whereby the propellers are arranged to provide lifting power for the vessel.

4-. Non-sinlrable means for avessel comprising a compartment arranged at one side of the vessel, a hinged door normally closing said compartment, means for loclzing the door in a closed position to maintain the compartment water-proof, a motor carried by theinner side of the door, a propeller supported on the shaft of the motor and adapted to be positioned within the compartmentwhen the door is closed, resilient means supported within the compartment and operable to throw the door to a horizontal active position when released, thereby positioning the propellers to provide lifting power for the vessel, and means connected with the door for movement therewith and adapted to support the door in its open position.

5.'Non-sinkable means for a vessel comprising a hinged door normally arranged vertically atone side" of the vessel, a float secured to theinner side of the door, means forloclring the door in itsnormal position,

resilient means for throwing the door to a horizontal active "position when released, a motor supported by the door, a propeller carried by the shaft of the inotorand operable to provide lifting power for the vessel with the door in an open position, and supporting shafts pivoted on the door and slidable through bearings within the vessel, said bean ings permitting the shaft to assume positions to support the door open. p

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

, LoRnNzoAfrIonE; 

